Specific Report by Mr. Chhatish Kumar Sahu, the District Correspondent for Sigma Media Lab English from Mayurbhanj, Odisha
Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) arrived at the Bhimda police outpost and initiated a preliminary investigation. On the night of the 8th, in Bhimda Police Outpost, located under the jurisdiction of the Badasahi police station in Mayurbhanj district in Odisha, it was reported that Outpost officer Mr Dilip Patra had verbally abused Mr Niranjan Mahalik, who was present to inquire about the disappearance of his friend’s daughters, and had forcefully slapped him on the cheek. The District Superintendent of Police tasked Additional SP Mr Deepak Kumar Gochayat with the investigation. He visited the outpost on the day of Makar Parv but was unable to locate the complainant. Subsequently, on Thursday at approximately 10 am, Additional SP Mr Gochayat returned to Bhimida Outpost accompanied by a police officer to interrogate both the complainant, Mr Niranjan Mahalik, and Outpost Officer Mr Dilip Patra. Upon being informed of the incident, the Additional SP stated that the investigation was ongoing and that he intended to visit Badasahi Medical for further inquiries before submitting a report to his superiors. When questioned about the alleged assault by the Outpost officer, he acknowledged the existence of a complaint but noted the lack of evidence. During the investigation in Outpost, a group of local residents gathered, and after the Additional SP concluded his inquiries, these individuals, defending the Police Officer Mr Patra, confronted journalists covering the story. They expressed their discontent, claiming that the media was tarnishing the reputation of their village, and threatened to detain the journalists if they did not vacate the area promptly.
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